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Nurse in isolation for 6 weeks after contracting coronavirus while working on front lines

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Updated: 6:47 PM CDT May 11, 2020

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IN ISOLATION FOR SIX WEEKS. >> I HAVE BEEN STUCK AT MY HOUSE FOR 37 DAYS WITH A FEVER THAT WILL NOT GO AWAY. PATRINA: KAYLA HOLLEY GRADUATED FROM NURSING SCHOOL IN DECEMBER, QUICKLY WORKING ON THE FRONT LINES AS AN RN AT A METRO HOSPITAL. UNTIL MARCH 23, WHEN UNBEKNOWNST TO HER, SHE WAS EXPOSED TO A PATIENT WITH THE VIRUS. >> I HAD SYMPTOMS FOR TWO WEEKS. SHORT OF BREATH, CHEST TIGHTNESS. PATRINA: SHE WAS DIAGNOSED ON APRIL 7. SHE SAYS SHE’S HAD SYMPTOMS SINCE THEN INCLUDING A LOW GRADE TEMPARATURE FOR SIX WEEKS, AND TESTED POSITIVE FOUR TIMES. >> A LOT OF NURSES ON MY UNIT ENDED UP GETTING IT BECAUSE WE AHD A PATIENT WE DIDN’T KNOW WAS POSITIVE. PATRINA: ACCORDING TO THE MOST RECENT EXECUTIVE REPORT FROM THE STATE, 17.1% OF THE POSITIVE CASES IN OKLAHOMA ARE HEALTHCARE WORKERS ON THE FRONT LINES. WHILE OTHER NURSES IN HER UNIT HAVE RECOVERED AND RETURNED TO WORK, KAYLA IS STILL STUCK AT HOME, ISOLATED WITH HER DOG WHO IS PROVIDING SOME COMFORT DURING THIS TIME, AND GETTING JUST 70% OF HER PAY DUE TO WORKERS COMP. SHE IS PRAYING FOR AN END TO THE VIRUS. >> IT GOES TO SHOW HOW LITTLE WE KNOW ABOUT THIS VIRUS. THINGS ARE BEGINNING TO OPEN BACK UP AND THAT’S SC

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Nurse in isolation for 6 weeks after contracting coronavirus while working on front lines

Kayla Holley graduated from nursing school in December and quickly went on to work on the front lines as a registered nurse at a metro-area hospital.But on March 23, when unbeknownst to her at the time, she was exposed to a patient with the coronavirus."I've been stuck in my house for 37 days with a fever that will not go away," Holley said. "I had symptoms for two weeks -- short of breath, chest tightness."The nurse was diagnosed with the virus April 7. Holley told KOCO 5 that she's had symptoms since then, including a low-grade fever for six weeks, and that she's tested positive four times."A lot of nurses on my unit ended up getting it because we had a patient we didn't know was positive," Holley said.According to Oklahoma's most recent coronavirus executive report, 17.1% of the positive cases in the state are health care workers on the front lines.While other nurses in Holley's unit have recovered and returned to work, she's still stuck at home. Holley has been isolated with her dog, who is providing some comfort during the trying time. She's now getting just 70% of her pay because of worker's comp. Holley said she prays for an end to the virus."Goes to show how little we know about this virus," she said. "Things are beginning to open back up, and that's scary."

OKLAHOMA CITY —

Kayla Holley graduated from nursing school in December and quickly went on to work on the front lines as a registered nurse at a metro-area hospital.

But on March 23, when unbeknownst to her at the time, she was exposed to a patient with the coronavirus.

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"I've been stuck in my house for 37 days with a fever that will not go away," Holley said. "I had symptoms for two weeks -- short of breath, chest tightness."

The nurse was diagnosed with the virus April 7. Holley told KOCO 5 that she's had symptoms since then, including a low-grade fever for six weeks, and that she's tested positive four times.

"A lot of nurses on my unit ended up getting it because we had a patient we didn't know was positive," Holley said.

According to Oklahoma's most recent coronavirus executive report, 17.1% of the positive cases in the state are health care workers on the front lines.

While other nurses in Holley's unit have recovered and returned to work, she's still stuck at home. Holley has been isolated with her dog, who is providing some comfort during the trying time.

She's now getting just 70% of her pay because of worker's comp. Holley said she prays for an end to the virus.

"Goes to show how little we know about this virus," she said. "Things are beginning to open back up, and that's scary."